Big Data. Local Impact. Healthy Lives.

Improving the use of health data for local decision-making in Malawi and Ontario

Context

The greatest health challenges are often faced by the world’s most vulnerable. Marginalized and underserved populations living in Canada and the Global South, including those living in remote, rural and Indigenous communities, face similarly high burdens of disease and unequal access to quality health services. Innovation and action are needed to overcome these barriers to health and prosperity. Incremental gains will not close entrenched health inequities. The Big Data revolution has the potential to transform healthcare delivery in and improve health outcomes for people living in low resource settings around the world. However, the potential for a leap forward relies on the quality of local data, access to and utilization of data and human capacity, and the adoption of innovative digital technology. From a rural African health centre managing an evolving HIV epidemic and the early effects of climate-induced malnutrition, to a remote Canadian Indigenous community facing staggering rates of hypertension, diabetes and mental health disorders, the true global impact of Big Data to improve health is yet unrealized.

Aim

To examine the potential for Big Data to unlock innovation in healthcare delivery, leading to locally relevant breakthroughs. We will evaluate health informatics initiatives designed to address some of the world’s biggest health challenges. Our overarching aim is to study the use of local data where health improvements must happen – at local health facilities and local community programs. Our Canadian and international cross sectoral initiative aims to sustainably take Big Data analytics to the last mile.

Sites

Northern Ontario and Malawi

Timeline

February 2018

January 2020

Partnerships

FunderConnaught Global Challenge Award

Partners
Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto
Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto
Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority
Cancer Care Ontario
University of Malawi
Malawi Ministry of Health

Contact

The i2i Lab is powered by Dignitas International, a Canadian medical and research organization, which innovates sustainable solutions to global health challenges, builds resilient health systems, and advances the right to health for marginalized people and underserved communities.